LRCC

Here's a wild question, just because it is late here in the USA and I'm still awake. Does anyone have any idea how many Carawagons or Dormobiles still exist? I know of a number here in the USA, probably in the teens, but worldwide?

Ian

In terms of Dormobiles, Phil (late of this parish) did a check with Gaydon on chassis numbers sent to Martin Walter and got a reasonably close approximation of numbers converted

If we had this information (and it hasn't been forthcoming this far but I don't know if anyone has actually asked for it) we could do a check with the National Licensing Centre to see the most recent history of them (vehicle tax and MOT for example)

However, other then that I don't know what to suggest


Question to rest of LRCC - has anyone asked Phil for a copy of his register ?

I have a list of 19 Dormobiles in the USA that I know of or have seen. Most are roadworthy. There may be more. Its a big country. The National Licensing Centre may be able to help with UK registered vehicles but not ROW. Some of the ones I know about are not original having taken over roofs and interiors from wrecked vehicles. I know of one ex-military Carawagon in the bay area that has been put up for sale occasionally but apparently with no interest at the listed price.

Ian

Hi

A couple of years ago I spent some time at Gaydon going
through the records of rhd export 3 doors sent to Searle
(This is what they built carawagons on).

I was only interested in Series 2 models,and from 1962 to
1971 only 295 were built.

This does not include conversions on owners vehicle,or
5 door models( there was only a handful of 5 doors built
as far as I know).Or SWB models.(Again only a handful of
SWB models were built).

Regards

Phillip

What a coincidence, both Gaydon investigators called Phillip

Actually, I was wondering how many Dormobiles and Carawagons are still on the road rather than how many there were originally.

Ian

I'd have a guess at about 50 Carawagons on the road in the UK - no hard evidence to base that on, just the number I know about and how often they turn up on Ebay or at shows.

There's probably a lot more 'undiscovered' ones parked up in fields, barns and scrapyards too, especially if they didn't have the lifting roof fitted.

Patrick

When I first joined the S2 Club and forum about 8 years ago (and 25 years into Dormy ownership), I received a PM from Phil who asked for Dormy's details. I seem to recall in one of the PM's, he suggested he had details for the UK of around 15 Dormobiles 'On the Road' and a similar number number 'Off the Road'.

Not a definitive number only what was known to Phil, but still useful.

Ian

There is now one less Dormobile on the road, as of yesterday my 66 Dormobile was destroyed in a fire. It had been in the local garage for a new stainless steel exhaust, when an adjoining Joinery facility caught fire, nothing left of several businesses.

You may just be able to pick out the windscreen frame and front of bulkhead in the picture, Police will not allow us closer due to risk from collapsing roof.

Gutted as it had just had seats recovered and seat frames all powder coated, the diesel cab heater was plumbed in and a NOS overdrive sitting in back ready for installation.

Insurance fight commences.
G.

Oh dear, that's not good news

Whatever you get for the insurance (and I hope it's a good figure to include your recent work and the extras) it still means another Dormobile out of existence which can't be replaced

Robin.